On the road with Dr. Ben Carson
Ben Carson is neck and neck with Donald Trump for the lead in the South Carolina primary — so when he’s on the ground in the Palmetto State, every second counts.
On Friday, Yahoo Global News Anchor Katie Couric was granted unprecedented behind-the-scenes access to Carson’s nonstop day in Greenville — from breakfast meetings (over orange juice, not coffee), to travel on his campaign bus (dubbed the “Healer Hauler”), to multiple private meetings, campaign events, selfie requests, and everything in between.
South Carolina’s population is 28 percent African-American — yet only 1 percent of voters in the voted in the 2012 Republican primary were black. The crowds that came out for Carson on his Friday in Greenville were almost entirely white, and Couric asked if this was a concern for the campaign.
“No, not at all,” said press secretary Deana Bass. “We’re very excited about polls that show Dr. Carson is doing well in the African-American community. When we go to Al Sharpton events in New York, there are not a lot of white people, but he still shares the same message that he shares there that he would in Iowa, or when we are on the South Side of Chicago at a black church.
(Photo: Erik S. Lesser/EPA for Yahoo News)
Slideshow: A day with Dr. Carson – from a Katie Couric interview to Bob Jones University >>>
“His evangelical message reaches really deep into the heart and in the soul. His life story is interesting and compelling and consistent with so many of our kids — like myself — who are coming out of single-parent households looking for hope, looking for new opportunities,” said Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.), who hosted a town hall with Carson and Trey Gowdy (R-S.C.) that day at Bob Jones University.
Carson and Couric discussed a wide range of issues during the day, ranging from foreign policy, to Donald Trump, to a rap video his campaign made.
Couric made sure to get in another question pressing on the hearts and minds of many South Carolina votes: Who does Carson support in the bitter rivalry between the Carolina Gamecocks and the Clemson Tigers?
“Both!” Carson exclaimed.
“Such a politician,” said Couric. “See that? I’m learning.” Carson smiled back.
